Photosensitive remote control device for orienting a movable object



March 1965 J. F. J. BOURGUIGNON 3, 7

PHOTOSENSITIVE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR ORIENTING A MOVABLE OBJECT Filed Dec. 14, 1960 lNVENTl? Jules Florent goseph Bourgulgnon M KM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,171,963 PHOTOSENSITIVE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR ORIENTING A MOVABLE GBEECT Jules Florent Joseph Bourguignon, Seilles, Belgium, assignor to Baumgartner Freres S.A., Grenchen, Switzerland Filed Dec. 14, 196i), Ser. No. 75,708 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Dec. 18, 1959, $2,026; Oct. 19, 1960, 11,693/60 Claims. (Cl. 250-209) The present invention relates to a remote control device for orienting a movable object. This device is characterized in that it comprises at least two photoelectric cells mounted on the said object and connected to a microswitch which is connected into the circuit of an electromotor energized by at least one battery, whereby the motor rotates in the one or the other direction according as the one or the other of the cells receives the greater amount of light, the said motor acting, upon rotating in the one or the other direction, on a steering element of the movable object so as to orient the latter in function of the position of the light-source illuminating the said object.

The accompanying drawing shows, diagrammatically and by way of example, two embodiments and a modification of the subject-matter of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the photoelectric cells.

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, showing the modification.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the invention.

The device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used for the remote control of a movable object so as to orient it in function of the position of the light-source illuminating the said object. The object referred to may be of any kin-d and has an independent driving means. It may be, for instance, a toy driven by a battery-fed motor. In the following specification there will be described, by way of example, a toy, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that application.

The device includes two photoelectric cells 1 and 2 mounted on the .toy in the manner explained below and connected to a microswitch 3 as shown in FIG. 1. The cells 1 and 2 consists of photovoltaic cells, i.e. they generate a current only when they are exposed to light, the electromotive force being proportional to the illumination received.

The cells 1 and 2 are arranged parallel to each other so that their active faces are oriented in opposite directions, i.e. turned by 180 with respect to each other. They are rigidly secured to each other and are keyed to a vertical spindle 4 adapted to be rotated by an electromotor 5 carried by the toy. The spindle 4 has an upward extension, not shown, and is connected to the spindle carrying the steering wheels of the toy (cg. a car). The terminals of the motor 5 are connected to the movable contacts 6 and 7 of the switch 3, respectively, these contacts being coupled to each other so as to always move simultaneously. The stationary contacts of the switch 3 are denoted by the numerals 8, 9 and 10. A battery 11 is connected between the stationary contact 9 and the inter-connected stationary contacts 8 and 10.

The connections being such as shown in FIG. 1, the device as described operates as follows:

Let us first suppose that the cell 1 is illuminated. The current generated by it flows through the winding of and actuates the switch 3 and brings the movable contacts 6 and 7 for instance on the stationary contacts 9 and 10, respectively. The battery 11 then energizes the motor 5 and causes it to rotate in a given direction. On the other hand, if the cell 2 is illuminated, the current genice erated flows through the switch winding in the opposite direction and actuatcs the switch 3. in the opposite direction and brings the movable contacts 6 and '7 on the stationary contacts 8 and 9, respectively. The battery 11 then energizes again the motor 5, but causes it to rotate in the reverse direction. If the toy is illuminated by means of a conventional light-source, the beam of rays falls upon either of the cells 1, 2, so that the motor 5 begins to rotate and drives the spindle 4, the cells 1, 2 and the steering wheels of the toy. As already said, the toy is driven by an independent motor, so that it moves in function of the position of the light-source illuminating the toy.

If both cells 1 and 2 are simultaneously illuminated, the cell receiving the greater amount of light generates the greater electromotive force and controls the direction of closing of switch 3. If the illumination of both cells is the same, or if any illumination ceases, the switch 3 remains in its neutral position and the motor 5 does not rotate; in this case, the toy moves along a rectilinear path.

In the modified embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the photoelectric cells 12 and 13 are arranged side by side at a certain angle to each other, instead of being opposed to each other as in FIG. 2, and are rigidly secured to a spindle 14. The operation is similar to that described above.

The microswi-tch 3 is chosen so as to be very sensitive, so that even with a very weak light, the current generated by the photoelectric cells is sufficient for actuating the microswitch 3 and closing the energizing circuit of the motor 5.

The device illustrated in FIG. 4 includes two photoelectric cells 15 and 16 mounted on the toy in the manner explained below and electrically connected in opposition to a microswitch 17.

The cells 15 and 16 are arranged in the same plane so that their active faces are oriented in the same direction. In the case of a toy constituted by a car (this case being given only by way of example), the cells 15 and 16 are fixedly mounted in the headlights of the car, in a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the car. An electromotor 18 is mounted on the toy; its terminals 19 and 20 are connected to the stationary contacts 21 and 22 of the switch 17, respectively, whereas the terminal 23 of the motor 18 forms a median tapping which is connected to the negative pole of a battery 24; the positive pole of the battery 24 is connected through a circuit-breaker 25 to the movable contact 26 of the switch 17, which is subjected to the action of a restoring spring 27. The motor 18 is adapted to rotate a spindle (not shown) controlling the steering wheels of the toy.

Two other photoelectric cells 28 and 29 are mounted on the toy, parallel to each other, at the front and the rear ends of the toy, respectively, and are connected in opposition to a second microswitch 3i). The cells 28 and 29 are similar to the cells 15 and 16, but have preferably a larger active area.

The cells 28 and 29 are secured to the toy so that their active faces are oriented in opposite directions, i.e. turned by 180 with respect to each other. In the case of a car, the cell 28 is mounted in front of the radiator and the cell 29 at the rear end of the vehicle, in vertical planes perpendicular to the direction of travel of the car. A second electromotor 31 is mounted on the toy; its terminals 32 and 33 are connected to the stationary contacts 34 and 35 of the switch 30, respectively, whereas the terminal 36 of the motor 31 forms a median tapping which is connected to the negative pole of the battery 24; the positive pole of the battery 24 is connected through the circuitbreaker 25 already mentioned to the movable contact 3 37 of the switch 39, subjected to the action of a restoring spring 38-. The motor 31 is adapted to rotate the driving wheels (preferably the back wheels) of the toy.

The connections being such as shown in the drawing, the operation of the device described is as follows:

Let us first suppose that the cell is illuminated. The current generated by it actuates the switch 17 and brings the movable contact 26 for instance on the stationary contact 21. If the circuitbreaker is closed, the battery 24 then energizes the motor 18 and causes it to rotate in a given direction. On the other hand, if the cell lid is illuminated, the current generated actuates the switch 17 in the other direction and brings the movable contact 25 on the stationary contact 22. The battery 11 then energizes againthe motor 18, but causes it to rotate in the reverse direction. If the toy is illuminated from the front end with a light-source, the beam of rays falls upon either of the cells 15, 16, so that the motor 18 begins to rotate and drives the spindle controlling the steering wheels of the toy. Preferably, the connections are chosen in such a manner that when the left-hand headlight of the car (i.e. the cell 16) is illuminated, the vehicle turns to the left and when the right-hand headlight (i.e. the cell 15) is illuminated, the vehicle turns to the right.

If both cells 15 and 16 are simultaneously exposed to light, the cell receiving the greater amount of light controls the direction of closing of the switch 1'7. If the illumination of both cells is the same, or if any illumination ceases, the switch 17 remains in its neutral position and the motor 18 does not rotate, so that the steering wheels remain in their last position.

If the cell 28 placed at the front end of the vehicle is illuminated, the current generated actua'tes the switch 39 and brings the movable contact 37 for instance on the stationary contact 35. If the circuit-brealter 25 is closed, the battery 24 energizes the motor 31 and causes it to rotate in a given direction. On the other hand, if the cell 29 is illuminated, the current generated actuates the switch in the other direction and brings the movable contact 37 on the stationary contact 34-. The battery 24 then energizes again the motor 311, but causes it to rotate in the reverse direction. Preferably, the connections are chosen in such a manner that if the front cell 28 is illuminated, the car will move forward and if the back cell 29 is illuminated, the car will move backwards.

If both cells 18 and 29 are simultaneously illuminated, the cell receiving the greater amount of light controls the direction of closing of the switch 39. If the illumination of both cells is the same, or if any illumination ceases, the switch 30 remains in its neutral position and the motor 31 does not rotate, so that the vehicle remains at rest.

The toy described permits obtaining very varied etlects. It is indeed possible to cast on thetoy one or more beams of light having a small cross section and to cause the vehicle to carry out all sorts of movements. The toy may, for instance, be forced to follow a predetermined track and to keep clear of obstacles.

In a modified embodiment, not shown, both cells 2% and 29 might be arranged above each other, at the front end of the vehicle.

The microswitches 1'7 and 30 are chosen very sensitive, so that even with a very weak light, the current generated by the photoelectric cells is sufficient for actuating the microswitches 17 and 3t and for closing the circuits of the motors 18 and 31.

What I claim is:

l. A remote control device for orienting a movable object comprising at least two photovoltaic cells mounted on the said object and electrically connected in opposition across the terminals of winding means of a polarized switching mechanism sensitive to the direction of current flow through its said winding means, a reversible motor for turning a drive element of the movable object and at least one battery on said object, said switching mechanism being operatively connected to said motor and battery and comprising means to change the battery connections to the motor upon change of direction of current flow through said winding means of the switching mechanism and to disconnect the motor from the battery when the voltages induced in said photovoltaic cells are equal, whereby the motor rotates in the one or the other direc tion according as the one or the other of said photovoltaic cells receives the greater amount of light.

2. A remote control device for orienting a movable object, comprising at least one pair of photovoltaic cells mounted in the said object and electrically connected in opposition across a winding of a polarized switching mechanism sensitive to the direction of current flow through said winding, a reversible motor for turning a drive element of the movable object and at least one battery on said object, said polarized switching mec anism having contact means operatively connected to said motor and battery and having a first and second operative position for current fiows of opposite direction in said winding, and a neutral open position for no current flow in said Winding, the said motor being connected to the battery by said switching mechanism to turn in one direc tion or in the opposite direction or being disconnected from the battery according to whether the said contact means are in their said first or second operative position or neutral position respectively.

3. A remote control device for orienting a movable object comprising at least two photovoltaic cells mounted on the said object and electrically connected in opposition across the terminals of a winding of switch means sensitive to be thrown into two opposite operating positions in accordance with the direction of current flow through said winding, spring means adapted to maintain said switch means in a neutral open position, a reversible motor for turning a drive element of said movable object and a battery on said object, said switch means being voperatively connected to said motor and battery so as to connect the battery to the motor to drive the motor in opposite directions in said opposite operating positions of said switch means and the motor being disconnected from the battery when said switch means is in said neutral open .position.

4. A remote control device for orienting a movable object comprising a pair of photoelectric cells having sensitive layers mounted on the said object and electrically connected in opposition to the terminals of a switching mechanism sensitive to the direction of current flow therethrough, a reversible motor for turning a drive element of the movable object and at least one battery on said object, said switching mechanism being operatively connected'to said motor and battery so as to connect the motor to opposite terminals of the battery according tothe direction of current flow through the switching mechanism and to disconnect the motor from the battery when no current flows in said switching mechanism, said pair of photoelectric cells being positioned in back-to-baclt relation with their sensitive layers exposed in opposite directions and in parallel planes, whereby when a light source is positioned separate and remote from said object adapted for illumination of said photoelectric cells, a substantial difference in illuminating intensity is obtained on the said sensitive layers for any deviation of the planes of such sensitive layers with respect to the light source.

5. A remote control device for a vehicle comprising an electrical driving motor and an electrical steering motor and a battery, a first and second pair of photoelectric cells, a first and second switching mechanism sensitive to.

the direction of current flow therethrough, said first and second pairs of photoelectric cells beingeach electrically connected in opposition to the terminals of one of the said first and second switching mechanisms respectively, one of said switching mechanisms being'operatively connected to said steering motor and battery and the other of said switching mechanisms being operatively connected to said 5 k 6 driving motor and battery so as to connect opposite ter- 2,838,876 6/58 Smith 46--244 minais of the battery to said motors according to the 2,913,583 11/59 Regnier et a1. 250-203 direction of current flow through the associated switching 2,921,408 1/ 60 Leblic 46244 mechanism and to disconnect said motors from the battery 2,922,929 1/60 Cooper et a1 46244 X when no current flows in the associated switching Inech- 5 2,996,621 8/61 Barrett 250202 anisrn, whereby each of said motors rotates in the one or 3,050,631 8/ 62 Bourguignon 250203 the other direction according to the direction of current 3,110,815 11/ 63 Sturrn 250215 X flow in the associated switching mechanism. FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited by the Examiner 10 1,153,832 2/58 France- UNITED STATES PATENTS RALPH G. NILSON, Primary Examiner.

2,331,144 10/43 Sitter 318-480 X WALTER STOLWEIN, ELLIS E. FULLER, LEONARD 2,832,426 4/58 Seargeant 46244 X W. VARNER, Examiners. 

5. A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ELECTRICAL DRIVING MOTOR AND AN ELECTRICAL STEERING MOTOR AND A BATTERY, A FIRST AND SECOND PAIR OF PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS, A FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHING MECHANISM SENSITIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW THERETHROUGH, SAID FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS OF PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS BEING EACH ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED IN OPPOSITION TO THE TERMINALS OF ONE OF THE SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHING MECHANISMS RESPECTIVELY, ONE OF SAID SWITCHING MECHANISMS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID STEERING MOTOR AND BATTERY AND THE OTHER OF SAID SWITCHING MECHANISM BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVING MOTOR AND BATTERY SO AS TO CONNECT OPPOSITE TERMINALS OF THE BATTERY TO SAID MOTORS ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW THROUGH THE ASSOCIATED SWITCHING MECHANISM AND TO DISCONNECT SAID MOTORS FROM THE BATTERY WHEN NO CURRENT FLOWS IN THE ASSOCIATED SWITCHING MECHANISM, WHEREBY EACH OF SAID MOTORS ROTATES IN THE ONE OR THE OTHER DIRECTION ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW IN THE ASSOCIATED SWITCHING MECHANISM. 